There is, potentially, a very valuable lesson in sociology to be taken from the current effort to save The Oasis, and it lies in the resource mobilization theory. The theory rests upon the principle that individuals may possess discontent on a mass scale, yet all remain idle until a group emerges with resources and a coordinated plan. Organizers must move beyond the traditional acts of merely handing out fliers and voicing their opinions; it is critical that they strike a chord within respondents.
The student-led Save The Oasis campaign ' in its aspirations to attain such awareness ' has unintentionally demonstrated the level of commitment required to promote social change.
It is no secret that apathy is rampant among the voting population of our country, fueled primarily by an obvious disregard for public opinion by those who are in positions of power. The silencing of the collective voice of OU's students regarding the future of The Oasis ' punctuated by the administration's abrupt decision to close the restaurant Nov. 21 ' illustrates this larger societal issue on a microcosmic scale.
The right of campus speech afforded to us as students provides a forum to hone the skills necessary to shape the world we live in once we move beyond the college realm. What is to be expected of us if, during this crucial time in which we are to grow and mature, we are taught to quietly sit on our hands?
Beyond the life lesson afforded to those seizing it, I'm disheartened when thinking about the individuals in capable positions who will make the final decision concerning The Oasis' future; apparently their verdict will be based solely on a fiscal purpose. By doing so, they effectively eliminate the historic, human element from the equation. In this critical time of personal and communal enrichment as students, I'm left to wonder ' what is the value in that?
' Ben Guenther is a junior.
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Letter to the Editor
